Thunder Head Coach Search: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation on Vacant Position

The Oklahoma City Thunder have reportedly agreed to terms with Billy Donovan to become their new head coach. 

Continue for updates. 

---

Donovan Reportedly Agrees to Terms With Thunder

Thursday, April 30

Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel reported that a source said it's a "done deal." Kevin Brockway of The Gainesville Sun confirmed that report. 

Stein reported Wednesday that the Thunder had "opened discussions" with Donovan. Stein also noted Donovan was likely to take the job:

"One source close to the situation went so far as to tell ESPN.com that 'the job is Donovan's to lose' at this point. Another source said Wednesday that the rising expectation in Gainesville is that Donovan 'is as good as gone.'"

Wojnarowski and Forde of Yahoo Sports reported that the Thunder were in contract talks Donovan and that star Kevin Durant has reached out to Florida alumni to inquire about the coach:

"

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Florida's Billy Donovan have started discussing the framework of a contract to bring the two-time national championship coach to the NBA, league sources told Yahoo Sports. ...

... Donovan could command an annual salary in the $6 million range to leave Florida. He makes $4 million-plus annually with no state income tax at Florida.

Donovan is the only serious candidate in general manager Sam Presti's search, and the two-time national championship coach is enthusiastic about the possibility of the job—if terms on a deal can be reached, sources told Yahoo Sports.

Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant has reached out to multiple former University of Florida players in the NBA to gain insight into Donovan, league sources told Yahoo Sports, and has become generally positive about the potential hiring.

"

---

Ollie Removes Name from OKC Consideration

Friday, April 24 

Jeff Goodman of ESPN reported that Donovan is expected to take the job if the Thunder make an offer. ESPN's Marc Stein first reported Donovan as the favorite for the Thunder job but also named Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina as a candidate.

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported that UConn head coach Kevin Ollie has withdrawn his name from consideration in Oklahoma City's coaching search.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports also reported the official firing of Scott Brooks that same day:

OKC made the playoffs five times under Brooks and reached the NBA Finals on one occasion (2011-12). The team was unable to achieve championship glory, though, which ultimately led to the decision to move in a different direction.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti commented on the search, per Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman: 

The Thunder are tailor-made to contend for a championship next season if Kevin Durant returns to full health, and a new voice on the sideline could help immensely.

While OKC figures to have a ton of interest from coaches across the sport, Donovan makes sense, and he may well be the franchise's ideal choice.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.